PHD and Canon EOS Utility Compatibility Problem

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hello all,
I had a bit of a problem with my PHD driven autoguiding last night.

Everytime I tried to have PHD running with the Canon EOS Utility software for the 40D, PHD would freeze up. I could only get PHD to work by removing the USB lead from the camera from the laptop.

Laptop has 2xUSB 1.0 and 1xUSB 2.0 connections. Every permutation of connections was tried. All leads OK

PHD worked perfectly guiding via the Shoestring GPUSB adapter without the camera plugged into the laptop.

This is annoying, as the whole setup has worked well before

Only recent software installed is a freeware AVG virus killer.

Anyone have an idea?

Cheers
Doug

[JohnH]

Is your laptop by any chance an IBM Thinkpad T40 series? If yes it sounds similar to a problem I had sand that was the USB port connector was damaged. My solution was to buy a 4 - port USB2 PCMCIA card.

[leon]

Doug I do exactly as you have explained and use both programs open at the same time, all the time, using the 5D and the 30D hooked up at the same time as well, and jump from one to the other, when needed.

I even down load my images while both are open, so i can inspect for errors in focus and stuff like that, don,t know mate then continue on to my target when happy with the images.

I reckon it is in the USB cable itself, but that is just an assumption.

Leon

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by leon

Doug I do exactly as you have explained and use both programs open at the same time, all the time, using the 5D and the 30D hooked up at the same time as well, and jump from one to the other, when needed.

I even down load my images while both are open, so i can inspect for errors in focus and stuff like that, don,t know mate then continue on to my target when happy with the images.

I reckon it is in the USB cable itself, but that is just an assumption.

Leon

Hi leon,
yes I did the same as you - worked fine till last night.
tried connecting with no extension cables just to check, and same thing happened.
laptop is a Toshiba Satellite M50.
Doug

[leon]

Lost me Doug, hope it all comes together soon, it is probably some very small issue.

Leon

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Played around with the setup indoors tonight - PHD slows down when all 3 USB ports are occupied - i.e. Webcam, Canon 40D and GPUSB box.

Does this mean I need a powered USB hub?

Cheers
Doug

[leon]

I have never used a powered hub, but that those seen the logical choice, at least it cant hurt to give it a go.

Leon

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

Played around with the setup indoors tonight - PHD slows down when all 3 USB ports are occupied - i.e. Webcam, Canon 40D and GPUSB box.

Does this mean I need a powered USB hub?

Cheers
Doug

yes

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Thanks houghy